Mom's surgery went just fine, they had her up and already starting to walk and rehab within just a couple of hours after she "woke up." I know my worry was unwarranted.

Wendy, I know you are engaged in a long labor of love. Any labor, even of love, gets exhausting. I hope the sun-downing you mother is doing eases up soon - sounds like delirium on top of the dementia. Wish we could literally sail up and whisk you away for a bit of a break for a few days.

Will be thinking especially of you, Sins, on Saturday. Wish I knew a remedy for the periods of strange dreams and disturbed sleep. Maybe tucking in here aboard ship, around a cozy stove in the galley, gouty foot propped up, and the circle occasionally changing some come into to warm and have a cuppa and others head up on deck for their watch?

I am reminded by several of this loving crew here that sorrow unshared or unspoken feels so much harder to bear.

How is Tommy?